Grad student one step closer to Mars

Zach Gallegos, a graduate Earth and planetary science student, is intent on being a member of the first astronaut team to establish a permanent colony on Mars.

This Dutch non-profit agency has set a goal of sending the first four-person crew to Mars in 2024, and then successive crews every two years after, according to the Mars One website.

There is, however, no return mission planned. The astronauts would live out the rest of their lives on the Red Planet.

The program plans to raise some of its funding through a reality TV program that will follow the astronauts selection process through their first few years on Mars.

The Daily Lobo spoke to Gallegos about making the cut and his potential journey.

How did you hear about Mars One and did you know immediately that you wanted to participate?

I remember hearing about the Mars One mission when it was still only an idea. Immediately is the correct word there was virtually no time between my discovery of the mission and my decision to go to Mars. I applied for many reasons: it is an historic event, it is scientifically exciting as a planetary geologist, and it is an opportunity for me to influence the world for the better and inspire humanity.

How did it feel to find out you passed the next selection round and are now one out of 700 applicants down from more than 200,000?

It was amazing. I was ecstatic. Like a lifelong dream becoming reality.

MIT recently released a study illustrating the problems with the mission. Mars unsafe oxygen levels, unreliable water supply and no certain way for crew members to get supplies were the main points of concern. What are your feelings towards this study and do you believe the necessary technologies will be available in time?

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Grad student one step closer to Mars